Commonly Ordered Tests

Dr. Beutel will make the appropriate diagnosis by doing a careful physical exam and taking a detailed history. In addition, Dr. Beutel may order some of the following common tests, or possibly others. This page is for information purposes only; the office will discuss your tests further with you, and will answer any questions you may have regarding your upcoming procedures. Please contact Birkdale Surgical at (704) 892.0558 with any questions or concerns you may have.

Biopsy

This is a procedure that involves taking a small sample of tissue and sending it for pathology to determine whether it is malignant. This procedure often is recommended for breast lumps and for polyps in the colon, among others.

C-T scan

This is an X-ray that shows the abdomen in slices. The patient lies down on a table that moves into a tube-like machine. If the patient is not allergic to dye, Dr. Beutel may order contrast as part of the study. A C-T scan would be helpful for determining that all of the organs are normal.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a procedure in which the colon of the patient is examined with a long flexible tube called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a light on the end, and as it slides through the colon, the doctor is able to see and take pictures of the colon. Also, the doctor may take biopsies, small samples of suspicious tissue. These samples can then be sent to the pathology laboratory for further examination.

EGD / Upper endoscopy

An EGD, also called an upper endoscopy, is a procedure in which the esophagus and stomach of the patient are examined with a long flexible tube that has a light on the end. As the tube slides through the esophagus and into the top of the stomach, the doctor is able to see and take pictures of the tissue. Also, the doctor may take biopsies which can then be sent to the pathology laboratory for further examination.

Gallbladder ultrasound

For this test, sound waves are aimed at the area of the gallbladder, and the echoes (sound waves bouncing back) are seen as a picture on a screen. This is useful for detecting stones and particles, but does not show gallbladder function.

Hidascan

If the gallbladder ultrasound is negative, this test may be ordered because it shows the function of the gallbladder. During the first hour of the test, the patient lies on his or her back while a radioactive tracer (with only a small amount of radioactivity) is given intravenously. Then, during the last half-hour, the nurse puts a hormone into the IV that stimulates the gallbladder as if the patient had eaten a very greasy meal. A camera over the abdomen projects the image of the contracting gallbladder on a screen. Then, the machine measures the percentage of contraction.

Laboratory reports

This involves drawing a blood or urine sample, which is then sent to the laboratory. Dr. Beutel would order these tests to monitor the health of a patient before or after surgery.

Manometry

A small probe is used over a thirty to forty minute period to determine the strength of the esophageal muscle. The patient swallows cool water while the probe measures the pressures of the esophageal muscle during the swallows.

Twenty-four-hour pH study

This test gives a running count of the acid splashes into the lower esophagus. A tiny plastic coated probe, which is placed through the nostril into the lower esophagus, measures acid during a 24-hour period of normal activity at home or work.